[Closed] Outdoor research helium 2 hooped bivy?

Not used the OR one, but I do have the Alpkit one.

TBH I didn’t really get on with it, I’m a side sleeper and there isn’t really enough room in it to do so without stressing the material.

Also, I had to leave the door open to avoid condensation, which isn’t great in the rain.

I've got the OR Alpine bivy, not used it much but it's the kind of bivy I'd use in weather that I'd not want to bivy in, if you get my meaning.

I've got other OR stuff and it's great.

I've got one and it's been great. Midge net is handy being in Scotland plus the hoop gives you space to read a book, faff, plus a bit of storage, etc. Fairly roomy as well and also a side sleeper but not problems - the bag kind of stays put while you wriggle around. Upper material seems really breathable too.

@luv2ride

I have one, totally unused and never even taken out of its cover. I *might* be persuaded to sell it but I'm still on the fence as I was going to do some winter over nighters... But realistically I think in deluding myself as life won't allow it at the moment.

Which reminds me I have a brand new,4 season down sleeping bag to go with the above! Can't even remember it's brand at moment.

I've got to start moving this stuff on.

Edit: Vango Venom 600 bag.

Hi Poopscoop. PM sent...

PM not working? Sorry to push but would be interested taking it off your hands if you're looking at selling it on.

Conventional bivi bags and a separate microtarp are more versatile and easier to live with in bad weather IMO.

The other option I was considering was an Alpkit Kloke at something like 250g (but £120) and seemingly good reviews for breathability etc. Zipped entry looks slightly easier than a Hunka, but still like the idea of the raised mesh bug net section on the OR Helium....
Kloke + tarp probably still a decent weight and space saving over my 1.2kg tent though

I have a RAB eVent bivvy bag with a net section but no hoop. If camped under a tree, or even under a tarp. I can hook it up to keep the net bit open. I practice, I tend not to bother.

I've been very tempted by the new OR bivvy bag though - the Interstellar. Just a shame it's £300!

The other option I was considering was an Alpkit Kloke at something like 250g (but £120) and seemingly good reviews for breathability etc. Zipped entry looks slightly easier than a Hunka, but still like the idea of the raised mesh bug net section on the OR Helium….
Kloke + tarp probably still a decent weight and space saving over my 1.2kg tent though

I have this setup. Was in it for a couple of nights over the weekend. Night two I ditched the tarp as the night sky was amazing. As was the dew.

The Kloke is pretty great. Only oddity is the zip position which is very low down - when zipped up with just a few inches left open the hole is around your breast bone rather than your face.

I've got the hooped Alpkit Elan. It's great. Loads of room, mesh bits to stop condensation, feels robust but small enough. Even has a little net pocket in for your phone/keys etc.

I'll be using it through the winter.

Conventional bivi bags and a separate microtarp are more versatile and easier to live with in bad weather IMO.

This. Or a light tent. Hooped bivis look like the worst of all worlds to me.

This. Or a light tent. Hooped bivis look like the worst of all worlds to me.

I think this might be my opinion now I've bought one. Anybody want to buy a lightly used Alpkit Elan?

I like my waterproof bivvy bag and microtarp but there are times when I'm willing to give up the bivvy experience for a bit more shelter. In that case, I use a single skin shelter with a net, good ventilation and a single pole. But it's also one I can sit up in, store kit in and cook under a little bit of cover. It's a SMD Lunar Solo.

On a tangent...

At the weekend I dug out my old Alpkit pipedream 200 'Pied d'Elephant' bag - basically half a sleeping bag up to your waist with a non-insulated long john top you use with a duvet jacket for upper body warmth.

To me it's a great concept - a jacket to wear in the cold morning/evening and a bottom half of a sleeping bag in little more space and weight to carry than a normal sleeping bag. I'm clearly in the minority as the concept seemingly can't be bought these days. I'd have thought bike packing and transcontinental style racing would have seen its revival.

Windbreak.
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Lean-to.
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A-frame.
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Plus lots of others.

@convert - for summer use, I now have a Cumulus 250 quilt. I often end up with it only up to my waist and have a Montane Prism jacket on my upper body. This works pretty well. Not quite your elephants foot, but the quilt does save a little bit of weight compared to a full sleeping bag.

OMM still do a system with a jacket and a half length sleeping bag which you attach to to the bottom.

Theres also another variant which doesn't make sense to me at all, where, you get the same jacket, but with insulated trousers, and then you can clip a really short sleeping bag section over the feet.- Down slippers would be cheaper and probably lighter.

Both options seem far too expensive for what they are.

Personally I just take a down jacket or and then combine it with a very lightweight sleeping bag.